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Children's television campaigners reacted with fury today to what they see as Ofcom's weak recommendations for the genre, with former Playschool presenter Floella Benjamin saying an 'Obama type of vision' was needed to protect programming.Ofcom's final report on its second public service broadcasting review, published today, acknowledges that UK programming for school-age children is one area of particular concern in the PSB debate.However, campaigners are disappointed that Ofcom does not treat children's TV as a matter of equal priority to the continuation of news services from suppliers other than the BBC.Ofcom suggests that a new, enlarged public service broadcasting body incorporating Channel 4 could play a part in investing in this area and that 'additional funding could be made available on a competitive funding basis, if resources permitted'.Benjamin, who was a founder member of Ofcom's content board when ITV decided to stop children's programme production four years ago and cut

Bret Easton Ellis has had a pretty good run in film adaptations, with both Mary Harron's American Psycho and Roger Avary's The Rules of Attraction jumping off the page in style and, especially in the case of the former, with healthy box-office returns. But the latest adaptation, The Informers, directed by Gregor Jordan, seems to be suffering in comparison: critics at the Sundance film festival emerged from the first screening apparently bamboozled by what Cinematical.com called 'a jumbled mass of unrelated subplots'.Slash Film was even more scathing, boiling its verdict down to a 15-word review: 'Spoiled Rich kids. Drugs. Sex. Amber Heard naked. Aids. Infidelity. Kidnapping. Unconnected. Boring. Uninteresting. Horrible.'An Education, billed as the pick of the record 12 feature-length British films to be screened at this year's festival, did rather better and has been snapped up by Sony in a deal purportedly close to $3m (£2.18m) following a bidding war with Fox Searchlight. Based on a

The Roanoke Times is reporting that the Mill Mountain Theatre, once the flagship of Roanoke's thriving arts and cultural community, is shutting its doors, board members announced Tuesday. The theater, which has large and apparently mounting debts, has cancelled at least the rest of this season. Its last play will be 'Driving Miss Daisy,' which runs through Feb. 8 on the Waldron Stage, assuming the theater can meet production costs. The play is scheduled to open tonight.

Academy and Tony Award-winning actor Joel Grey returns to television in a new episode of ABC's 'Private Practice.' Grey, whose recent TV credits include 'Brothers & Sisters' and a critically acclaimed appearance on FOX's hit drama 'House,' will guest star as Dr. Alexander Ball in the January 22, 2009 episode titled 'Nothing to Fear.'In 'Nothing to Fear,' Violet finds out she's pregnant but isn't sure who the father is; Addison struggles with her own guilty conscience after her kiss with Wyatt; and Sam and Pete clash when an old friend and colleague (Grey) asks them to help him die. Meanwhile Charlotte proposes marriage to Cooper.

Just one month after his daughter claimed he had Alzheimer's disease and filed legal documents seeking conservatorship of his estate and care, Academy-Award nominated actor Peter Falk's wife has filed documents opposing the conservatorship. ET has the details.The Associated Press reports that the "Columbo" star's wife of 32 years, Shera Danese Falk, filed legal documents Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court that claims the actor entrusted her with his care long before his health began to deteriorate.In the documents, Falk's wife also claims the actor does not have a close relationship with his daughter, and her filings include declarations from the Falks' accountant and multiple friends, says the AP.

On February 7, 2009, the Lyric Stage League presents CABARET '09: THE LEGENDARY DAYS OF LAS VEGAS, the annual fund-raising event for Lyric Stage. Marilyn Maye, fresh from her latest new york City triumph, will headline this year's gala at the beautiful Four Seasons Resort and Club. Billy Stritch, direct from his engagement with Liza Minnelli on Broadway at the Palace Theater, will accompany Ms. Maye. Call 972-594-1904 for tickets or more info.Marilyn Maye was one of the brightest lights of television, supper clubs and the recording industry during the 1960's. She became a fixture on THE TONIGHT SHOW with Steve Allen and Johnny Carson and enjoyed a great recording career with RCA. After an absence of over 15 years, she made a triumphant return to New York City last fall.THE NEW YORK OBSERVER's Rex Reed proclaimed 'This woman has everything. She can belt, and she can sing ballads with the kind of warmth that makes your heart smile. She has a theatrical flair that captivates and enthr

CES 2009: Gallery and Report on the Hot Home Theater Products At The 2009 Consumer Electronics Show Photo

Flat panel televisions are quickly becoming quite commonplace on store shelves and in consumers' homes. Although Plasma TVs seem to be be getting all the attention in this area, the LCD television is also making an impact. On this page I answer the question: Should I Buy an LCD Television or a Plasma Television?

DVD recorder/VCR combos are here. For those that are both replacing a VCR and want a DVD recorder, this flexible option gives you the best of the old and the new. You can use these units to play DVDs and VHS tapes, as well as record or copy homemade recordings (such as camcorder tapes, television recordings, etc...). However, keep in mind that DVD recorder/VCR combos cannot be used to copy commercially made DVD movies to VHS or commercially made VHS movies to DVD, due to copy-protection.

The hairstylist to first lady Michelle Obama is taking his talent to reality television.Johnny Wright styled Mrs. Obama's hair for the Democratic National Convention and her upcoming appearance on the cover of Vogue magazine.Now, he is signed on to host a reality show with the production company, 44 Blue, that makes Style Network's "Split Ends" and A&E's "L.A. Gang Unit," according to The Hollywood Reporter.